LAKELAND, Fla. -- For the first time this spring, Tigers manager Brad Ausmus provided a detailed glimpse into how he plans to configure the Tigers' opening day roster should ailing shortstop Jose Iglesias open the season on the 15-day disabled list.

And, based on Iglesias' lack of progress the past two weeks, all signs seem to suggest the 24-year-old will, indeed, be sidelined when the season opens March 31.

"We want him to be healthy," Ausmus said Saturday. "That's the primary goal. But we're kind of at that point that with every passing day it's becoming extremely more difficult for him to get the number of at-bats needed to prepare for a season."

In his postgame media session Saturday, Ausmus discussed two possibilities: How the opening day roster would look with Iglesias healthy, and how it would look if he remained sidelined.

Here's a detailed look at both possibilities, and how the Tigers may approach either scenario.

1. If Iglesias opens the season on the 15-day disabled list

Said Ausmus: "If we need two shortstops, we probably can't carry an extra outfielder."

Analysis: If Iglesias is placed on the DL, it appears the Tigers would open the season with two shortstops on their 25-man roster. Steve Lombardozzi is expected to serve as the backup behind Iglesias and, therefore, would probably receive the majority of playing time in Iglesias' absence. However, Lombardozzi could also see occasional starts in left field due to the recent injury to Andy Dirks, who is expected to miss 12 weeks after undergoing back surgery earlier this week.

By placing Iglesias on the disabled list, the Tigers could make a corresponding move and call up another shortstop, perhaps Hernan Perez or Eugenio Suarez, to potentially platoon alongside Lombardozzi or serve as his backup until Iglesias is ready to return.

Candidates: Hernan Perez, Eugenio Suarez, Danny Worth.

Analysis: Despite having the most experience among the three mentioned above, Worth is the only player not on the 40-man roster. That could prove to be a problem, particularly if the Tigers elect to break camp with reliever Evan Reed, who is out of options, on the opening day roster. If Reed doesn't make the 25-man roster, he would need to be designated for assignment, which could open up a spot for Worth.

Conclusion: If Iglesias is placed on the DL, the Tigers could backdate it 10 days, which would allow him to miss only five days (four games) if he's able to return immediately. Both Suarez (.273) and Worth (.273) have been equally impressive at the plate this spring, but Worth's strikeout numbers are concerning and Suarez seems to need a bit more seasoning at shortstop. Perez hasn't done much to impress at the plate this spring, but he has major league experience and provides the Tigers with speed off the bench. He's my pick.

2. If Iglesias is healthy for the start of the regular season

Said Ausmus: "If you have Jose, than you can carry an extra outfielder."

Analysis: First things first: Don Kelly has essentially cemented his spot on the 25-man roster -- regardless of Iglesias' status. Same goes for Lombardozzi. With that in mind, if Iglesias is healthy on opening day, the Tigers will likely carry another outfielder, instead of an extra shortstop. This spot was initially reserved for Dirks, but -- as mentioned above -- he will open the season on the DL.

Candidates: Ezequiel Carrera, Trevor Crowe, Tyler Collins

Analysis: Like Worth, the big issue facing Carrera and Crowe -- both non-roster invitees this spring -- is that neither player is on the 40-man roster. Collins, however, is on the 40, but, at 23 years old, he hasn't played above Double-A in his career and could use more at-bats in the minors. As Ausmus said Saturday, Collins still needs "a bit of seasoning."

Conclusion: My guess? Collins will open the season in Triple-A Toledo. Same goes for Crowe, who has an opt-out clause as part of his minor league deal. If Iglesias is healthy enough to open the season, which seems like a long shot at this point, I'm going with Carrera to make the opening day roster. But, again, if I were a betting man, I'd lean on Iglesias starting the season on the DL.